The Lost Sheep
“See that you do not despise one of these little ones. For I tell you that in heaven their angels always see the face of my Father who is in heaven. What do you think? If a man has a hundred sheep, and one of them has gone astray, does he not leave the ninety-nine on the mountains and go in search of the one that went astray? And if he finds it, truly, I say to you, he rejoices over it more than over the ninety-nine that never went astray. So it is not the will of my Father who is in heaven that one of these little ones should perish” (Matthew 18:10-14).
Many have experienced the panic of losing something that is very valuable. Many have also experienced the feeling of relief once that valuable thing has been found. It is this panic of losing a valuable object and the joy of finding the object that is the subject of this parable told by Jesus.
The story is of a shepherd leading his flock of one hundred sheep when he realizes that one of them has wandered off. While many would figure the shepherd would cut his losses and move on with ninety-nine sheep (surely more valuable than one), the shepherd leaves the ninety-nine to go search for the lost sheep. Jesus also speaks of the immense joy that the shepherd experiences when the lost sheep is found and returned to the flock.
God’s Love for the Individual Sheep
“What do you think? If a man has a hundred sheep, and one of them has gone astray, does he not leave the ninety-nine on the mountains and go in search of the one that went astray?” (Matthew 18:12).
The immense love of God is an amazing thing. We, as children of God, have all “sinned and fallen short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23). Despite having the examples of those in the past and warnings of what is to come if we sin, we have all separated ourselves from God. However, “God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life” (John 3:16).
Paul told the Romans that “God shows his love for us that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us” (Romans 5:8).
When we understand that our soul is so immensely valuable to God that He would leave ninety-nine just persons to come find us to bring us home, it puts into perspective the value and purpose you hold if you seek God.
Jesus Encourages Us to Seek the Lost
“See that you do not despite one of these little ones. For I tell you that in heaven their angels always see the face of my Father who is in heaven” (Matthew 18:10).
These “little ones” that Jesus speaks about seem to be errant believers that we often may be tempted to overlook or ignore. What Jesus displays to us is that regardless of if a member is weak, quiet, or often missing, we should not be neglecting their spiritual health. As members of Christ’s body, we should be working diligently to “exhort one another every day, as long as it is called ‘today’” (Hebrews 3:13).
We should always have the goal to teach the lost world of Christ, but we should always be looking after the “little ones” and concentrate everything we have on finding them when they have gone astray.
God’s Joy in the Return of the Lost Sheep
“And if he finds it, truly, I say to you, he rejoices over it more than over the ninety-nine that never went astray. So, it is not the will of my Father who is in heaven that one of these little ones should perish” (Matthew 18:13-14).
This is truly a sign of God’s unwavering and steadfast love. Despite the fact that we may have wandered off and separated ourselves from God, this is not held against us. If we are found and return to the fold, our previous loss is not held against us. Instead, there is immense joy within the family of God that the lost has returned home.
“There will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who need no repentance” (Luke 15:7).
